The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is honored to announce the 2020 recipients of the organization’s Pioneer Award, Hope-Builder Award and the Above and Beyond Award. The awards, which will be presented during the Awards Dinner at the 2020 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma on Monday, April 6, acknowledge individuals and/or companies who through their work have helped advance the mission of the organization to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.
The Pioneer Award
This award recognizes individuals who are pioneering scientific advances in mesothelioma research and treatment.
Award Recipient
Michael J. Becich, MD, PhD
Chair and Distinguished University Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Over the past couple of decades, Dr. Michael Becich has been steadfast in his commitment to mesothelioma research. He established the National Mesothelioma Virtual Tissue Bank (NMVB) — representing the only national tissue and data repository exclusively dedicated to mesothelioma. He has also selflessly volunteered his time in support of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Dr. Becich is Associate Vice Chancellor for Informatics in the health sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Bruce Vento Hope-Builder Award
This award recognizes an individual or individuals who create hope for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones through advocacy.
Award Recipient
Heather Von St James
Heather Von St James is a 14-year mesothelioma warrior and ardent advocate for the mesothelioma community and the Meso Foundation. Her advocacy includes writing on her experiences as a mesothelioma warrior in prominent publications such as Thrive Global, Greenpeace and Baylor College of Medicine, traveling around the country speaking and raising mesothelioma awareness (including at the Foundation’s annual Symposium and on the talk show Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien), and meeting and supporting fellow warriors. Heather turned the first anniversary of her extra pleural pneumonectomy (lung removal) into an annual Fundraise for Meso event, Lung Leavin’ Day, that includes writing one’s fears on a plate and smashing it into a firepit in her Minnesota backyard. She has raised over $40,000 for the Meso Foundation as well as for the Von St James Travel Fund, which helps patients cover travel costs related to treatment or consults with mesothelioma specialists. Heather also guides and advises the Foundation’s services and direction in her role as Community Advisory Board co-chair.
Klaus Brauch Above and Beyond Award
Presented on behalf of the entire mesothelioma community by the Meso Foundation’s Board of Directors, this award recognizes an engaged and exemplary individual or individuals who has worked to advance the Foundation’s mission through fundraising, advocacy, awareness and/or education.
Award Recipients
Jack and Ellen Brown
Jack and Ellen Brown organize The Em’ for Emily in their hometown of Greer, SC, to honor the life and legacy of their daughter, Emily Brown Kocis, a wife, mother and peritoneal mesothelioma warrior who passed away at 28 in January 2017. This fundraiser is a week-long event encompassing Mesothelioma Awareness Day (September 26), a dine and donate event, a Ride for the Em’ cycling event and a golf tournament. Following a successful inaugural fundraiser in 2017, the Browns have made The Em’ for Emily an annual Fundraise for Meso event and have since raised $65,000 for the Meso Foundation toward mesothelioma research and the Patient Travel Grant Program. Save the date! They are eagerly planning this year’s The Em’ for Emily slated for Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020.
Registration & Awards Dinner Tribute Booklet
Register for the 2020 Symposium by visiting curemeso.org/symposium. To purchase a congratulatory message for the award recipients (examples available), please go here on the organization’s website.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to eradicate mesothelioma and end this national tragedy. Its programs include the funding of promising and peer-reviewed research, education, support and advocacy. The organization strives to bring together thought-leaders in the field to identify the most direct path to a cure.
